City councils in and around Grays Harbor County have been busy in recent weeks trying to solve issues important to their constituents and develop and promote attractions in their municipalities.

Several cities have indicated vacancies for various boards and commissions and have announced appointments and reappointments as well. Organizations such as Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., and the Port of Grays Harbor have made presentations at various council meetings.

Here are some of the highlights of recent city council activity.

Aberdeen

• Approved the Interlocal Cooperative Purchasing agreement between the city of Aberdeen and the city of Hoquiam for the purchase of a new ambulance in 2026.

• Authorized the fire chief to execute the contract for services between the Aberdeen School District No. 5 and the city of Aberdeen for the summer fire and EMS program.

• Passed a resolution authorizing the city administrator, police chief and fire chief to explore the design and construction of new public safety facilities.

• Authorized WRK Engineers to conduct structural analysis of the city’s fire department facilities.

• Business View Magazine to feature the city of Aberdeen in an upcoming issue.

• During her report, City Administrator Ruth Clemens indicated that $17.5 million promised for the levy project (roughly half) is not included in the proposed state budget; local officials will continue to push for the funding.

• Parks board approved use of motorized jet skis, ATVs and camping for the competitors at Lake Aberdeen for a jet ski competition organized by PNW WaterX tentatively scheduled for May 10–11.

• Code Enforcement Officer DJ Cox was appointed as a commissioner to the Civil Service Commission.

Elma

• Clayton Parson sworn in as police sergeant.

• The city of Elma is planning to replace the existing stop-controlled intersection with a new roundabout at East Main Street and the U.S. Highway 12 extension.

• Awarded LTAC grant money to:

— ELMA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, a total of $65,000 — $15,000 for the Winter Wine Festival event, $2,000 for the Garage Sale Days event, $16,000 for the Heat on the Street event, $1,500 for the Fall Festival event, $7,500 for the Tourism Promotion activities, and $23,000 for Tourism Operations activities.

— ELMA LITTLE LEAGUE, a total of $12,500 — 50% of the purchase of a new scoreboard and 25% of Tournament event activities.

— ELMA VFW POST 1948, a total of $2,500 — for 100% of the costs of the Veterans Day Parade.

— GRAYS HARBOR MOUNTED POSSE, a total of $6,000 — for 10% of the costs of the Grays Harbor Pro Rodeo event.

— CITY OF ELMA, $5,000 — for 50% of the purchase of new garbage cans for the downtown area.

Hoquiam

• Council authorized the purchase of properties for the North Shore Levee Project. Funding to purchase the properties is provided through the Washington state Legislature’s 2023-2025 Capital budget appropriation.

• Approved the purchase of two new police patrol cars for a total of approximately $152,000.

McCleary

• Honored Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Lindsay Blumberg who is retiring after 12 years of service to the city of McCleary.

• The council held a discussion regarding Mayor Chris Miller’s veto of the 2025 budget. Miller’s attendance (or lack thereof) at city council meetings continues to be a hot topic of discussion.

• Paul Nott, Jerry Banks, Jeff Geer and Brad Lott honored for their service as volunteer firefighters upon their retirement announcements.

• Brent Schiller was appointed to Council Position 3.

Ocean Shores

• Mayor Frank Elduen declared a citywide state of emergency to ”implement measures to mitigate severe erosion damage” along Mariner Court SE and Peninsula Court SE, which was ratified by the council.

• City Administrator Scott Andersen and Lead City Planner and Shoreline Administrator Marshall Read continue to update the council on efforts to combat erosion, including the construction of a new cobble berm along the south shore, the closure of Damon Point to the public, long-term projects such as rebuilding the north jetty and teaming up with the city of Westport and Grays Harbor County to solve common erosion issues.

• Sara Logan named finance manager and sworn in.

• Introduced new Code Enforcement Officer Christine Tamez-McClain.

• Voted to increase sewer rates.